Excelent Soldiers – Czech Republic

During the Grand Prix in Park City, a bunch of us were starting to finalize plans for some contests in Europe when were heard about some big air contest happening in the Czech Republic. Since we had some spare time between slope contests, we decided to email the event organizers and see what it was about.

Road trip in the Jagarmeister van!

After emailing back and forth to figure out plans for the event, we had this awesome event booked right after La Clusaz. To get there, a couple guys drove out to La Clusaz in a Jaegermiester van to pick Robby, Scott Nelson, and me up, along with a few of the other skiers bags up. This was about a 12 hour drive from La Clusaz to the ski resort.

Passing through Geneva

We ended up getting in around midnight, and ended up crashing in room 2 with Noah Morrision, Evan McEachran, Woodsy, Vinny Gagnier, and Robby. Once we arrived and got settled in, Robby and I decided to go out thanks to some persuasion from Pan Pan.

The next day we had a practice in the late morning. The jump was about an 85 foot long step over, with around a 3 minute lap. Thankfully speed was pretty easy to get during the day. After hitting the jump a bunch that morning, we had a qualifier go down in the afternoon.

Following the qualifier, we went back to the hotel for a couple of hours, then right back to the slopes for a fun team contest. With teams of three, you would do synchronized jumps. On my team was Robby, and Norwegian skier buddy Klaus Finne. Those boys were absolutely slaying the jump that night. For me unfortunately the jump was slaying me for the first couple hits, by going too big one hit, then too small the next. Finally I started to figure out the speed and have fun with everyone. At the end of the night, we finished it all with a massive train.

Photo by: Lukas Wagneter

Right after the fun night jam, they announced who made finals and would be going head to head against each other the next night. With my luck, I ended up going against Noah Morrison. When both our names were called, we just started busted up laughing.

Photo by: Lucas Wagneter

The next day we were able to sleep in. We ended up having a practice session a little after 1:00. During that time, the jump was awesome! For just a practice, everyone was throwing down and having so much fun lapping a big jump that quickly.

Noah Morrison and Woodsy mid duo cork 7's

After a fun afternoon of hitting the jump, it was time to start the contest. We all headed up to the jump at sunset, and it was gorgeous!

When the contest started, I got bumped out in the first round by Noah, but not bummed at all. He skied so well, and almost made super finals. Each heat was stacked, but in the end the four super finalists who made the jam session was Woodsy, Andri Ragettli, Luca Schuler, and Vinny Gagnier. After an awesome jam session, Andri took first, with Vinny in second, and Luca in third. Woodsy was so close to landing a triple on his final hit, but unfortunately wasn’t able to pull it off. Big ups for a good show though.

Podium for the night. Photo by: Lukas Wagneter

Later that night everyone went out for the big closing party. Craziest thing I got to see was this English beatboxer named ThePETEBOX put on quite the show for everyone. Had no idea some of the sounds he was making were even possible.

Big thanks to Hanzi for throwing such a great event, and to Zuzka for putting up with everyone, and making everything run smooth for the athletes! Really hope I can make it back out for next year, always fun in the Czech Republic.